RN PICU Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Pediatric Intensive Care Registered Nurse

MDPerm • Bethesda, MD

43d • Onsite

About The Position

As a Registered Nurse (RN) in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, you will be responsible for providing high-quality nursing care to critically ill pediatric patients with medical and/or surgical conditions.

Requirements

• Completion of the appropriate undergraduate or graduate degree in nursing for the sub-specialty.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required. Additionally, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certifications are necessary to work in the PICU.
• A minimum of 1-year experience within the past 3 years in a pediatric intensive care unit is required. Applicants with a combined minimum of 2 years of neonatal ICU/pediatric ICU experience and the ability to pass a written PICU competency assessment will also be considered.
• You must possess a valid license in at least one (1) state, territory, or commonwealth of the US.
• US citizenship is required to access government computer systems.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with the standard of care and practice in accordance with established policies, procedures, and guidelines used in medical treatment at the medical treatment facility (MTF) and in accordance with Joint Commission (JC) guidelines.
• Plan appropriate nursing care based on MTF guidelines and JC guidelines.
• Respond to emergency situations such as cardiac or respiratory arrest, hemorrhage, shock, severe physical trauma, psychiatric reaction, etc.
• Recognize adverse signs and symptoms, and react quickly and appropriately in emergency situations.
• Serve as a member of the resuscitation team.
• Prepare patients for treatments and procedures, including surgical interventions.
• Provide professional intensive nursing care to critically ill pediatric patients in the PICU.
• Evaluate and care for post-procedural patients.
• Continually assess the condition of patients for potential or life-threatening crises.
• Identify and address deviations from baseline vital signs, assessments, and lab tests.
• Distinguish between normal and abnormal physical findings from physical and vital sign assessments. Document, report, and follow through on abnormal findings with physicians/nurses.
• Operate and monitor the performance of sophisticated equipment used in the care of critically ill patients, such as mechanical ventilation, hemodynamic monitoring equipment, cardiac monitors, etc. Interpret and respond to complex technological data generated by such equipment.
• Demonstrate proficiency in using and communicating about medical equipment and supplies.
• Operate defibrillators, EKG machines, and cardiac monitors.
• Care for patients with central venous catheters, arterial lines, and mechanical ventilators.
• Communicate effectively with the healthcare team and collaborate for the benefit of patients, families, and the organization.
• Educate patients and families on the plan of care, self-care, symptom management, and follow-up care.
• Formulate a teaching plan based on identified learning needs and evaluate the effectiveness of education.
• Obtain and document patient and family history.
• Interact professionally with patients and families, involving them in the plan of care.
• Instruct patients and families on preventative healthcare and follow-up care.
• Address psychological, cultural, and ethnic needs of patients and families.
• Recover stable and unstable pediatric patients from general and regional anesthesia and deep sedation.
• Float to the Inpatient Pediatric Ward during low census periods and as per staffing needs.
• Provide coverage for medical transports to retrieve critically ill children from other healthcare facilities for care at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Bethesda.

Benefits

• $2,000 sign-on bonus
• Competitive pay
• 17 days of paid time off (PTO)/sick leave
• 11 paid Federal holidays
• Health & Welfare allowance to cover health insurance, long and short-term disability, and life insurance
• Dental and vision plans offered
• 401(k) retirement plan

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level